How Do You Think Jesus Would Vote?

Remember the popular bracelet of years ago with the letters “WWJD”? In case you’ve had a memory lapse or spent those years on a remote island with no outside contact, they represented the words, “What Would Jesus Do.”  

This phrase originated in Charles M. Sheldon’s 1896 novel, In His Steps, about a pastor who challenged his congregation to do nothing of consequence without first asking, “What would Jesus do?” It told stories of people whose lives were transformed by using this simple question to guide their actions and decisions.

 

The bracelets aren’t often seen today. But the question still arises from time to time, and it’s still important. For instance, staring at a computer screen when questionable material pops up, asking what Jesus would do might help in overcoming temptation. When a cashier mistakenly gives too much change and we start to think about keeping the excess, asking what Jesus would do might nudge us to point out the mistake. Considering how to use an unexpected bonus at work or sudden windfall, it might be interesting to ponder how Jesus would use it.

 

Recently, the question arose during a casual conversation with a friend. We’d ventured into the realm of politics and the upcoming Presidential election. At one point my friend paraphrased the slogan by asking, “How do you think Jesus would vote?”

 

We exchanged comments, but afterward it had me thinking. For questions of a spiritual nature, I’ve realized my opinion isn’t any better or worse than anyone else’s. What does matter is God’s opinion.

 

Based on what the Scriptures tell us, we might say the question of how Jesus would vote is moot. Because nowhere in the Gospels do we see Jesus Christ engaging in political activism. Even though the oppressive Roman empire was a major problem in those days. The one exception might be in Matthew 22:15-22, when the religious leaders sought to trap Him in controversy by asking, “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar of not?” 

 

In response, Jesus asked that a coin used for paying the tax – a denarius – be brought to Him. Looking at it, He inquired, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” When his adversaries responded it was that of Caesar, Jesus replied, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

 

The only other recorded time Jesus directly engaged with Roman authorities was during the trial that led to His crucifixion. When confronted by Pontius Pilate, who asked, “Are You the king of the Jews?” Jesus didn’t mount an elaborate defense or challenge Pilate’s authority from Rome. His response was, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

 

Politics and earthly governmental affairs were not Jesus’ mission.

 

That’s not to say followers of Christ shouldn’t participate in the election process, or even seek public office if they feel led to do so. Because the Bible gives us numerous examples of devout people God used to accomplish His purposes, including: 

Joseph, who rose to rank second only to Pharaoh in Egypt, using his influence to save his family and the people of Israel from a severe famine. 

Daniel, one of the Israelites exiled to Babylon, who became an important advisor to three kings – Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius. 

Ezra and Nehemiah, who were commissioned by the kings of Persia and Babylon to rebuild the ruined city of Jerusalem. 

 

So, with a crucial election coming up, it might be better to revise the question a bit. How would God want us to vote? There are many criteria we can use, including candidates’ qualifications and character, and where they stand on issues we deem to be important. 

 

As is often the case in the complex world in which we live, there are few easy answers. For followers of Christ, we’d be wise to do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 – “they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” I’d suggest that the Bible can give us similar insight as we ponder the perplexities of politics and policies.

 

In addition, fervent prayer – for our own decision-making and for the outcomes in the coming election – is crucial. We have no greater encouragement for this than in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which declares, “if My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 

 

Praying, humbly seeking God, and turning from our own sins. It says if we do these things, then God will hear, forgive, and bringing healing to our land.

 

I also believe it’s vital that we trust in God’s sovereignty – that He’s ultimately in control and not caught off guard or surprised by anything we do, right or wrong. His plans and purposes will prevail. Job concluded near the end of his painful ordeal, “I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

 

The book of Proverbs affirms this numerous times. Here are just two examples: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).

 

So, after studying the Scriptures, praying and humbly seeking the Lord, we should “be anxious for nothing,” as Philippians 4:6 admonishes. This isn’t always easy, but even when things are not going as I think they should, I sense God is saying, “Not to worry. I’ve got this.”